Code setting device for signal systems



Sept 1941- J. H. WHEELOCK 2,255,201

CODE SETTING DEVICE FOR SIGNAL SYSTEMS Filed April 8, 1938 3Sheets-Sheet 1 J 52 J56 E W 0 Sept. 9, 1941. J. H. WHEELOCK 2,255,201

CODE SETTING DEVICE FOR SIGNAL SYSTEMS Filed Aprils, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet2 .fr ij,

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CODE SETTING DEVICE FOR SIGNAL SYSTEMS Filed April 8, 1938 sSheets-Sheet 5 Z w 1 L L l L 1 l J I I L l 15 16 Z1 3 Z3 .25 Z6 5 20 /oj/f i 7 )T"72- Patented Sept. 9, 1941 CODE SETTING DEVICE FOR SIGNALSYSTEMS John H. Wheelock, Fitzwilliain, N. H., assignor to SignalEngineering & Manufacturing Company, New York, N. Yi, a corporation ofMassachusetts Application April 8, 1938, Serial No. 200,943

6 Claims. (Cl. 177380) The present invention relates to electricalsignaling apparatus and systems of the type commonly employed forcontrolling, from a given point, the operation of various kinds ofsignal devices for sounding or displaying a multiplicity of difierentsignals, all, in accordance with a predetermined code.

Ordinarily, a signal system, of the above described type, comprises inaddition to the signals themselves, a code determining or setting devicecooperating with a code sending device, the function of the code settingdevice being to enable the operator to manually determine or set thecode signal desired, whereupon the code sending device operates underthe control of the setting device to automatically sound the selectedpredetermined signal sequence. In code setting devices, as heretoforeconstructed, the code determination has been obtained either byarranging electrical contacts in different code sequences, as shown inBurdick Patent No. 1,823,585, or by pro viding dissimilar mechanicallyoperated code determiningelements arranged in groups in accordance withthe code sequences, as shown in Hanel Patent No. 1,969,978. While thecode setting devices of the types shown by the aforementioned patentsare satisfactory from an operating standpoint, the manufacture .of suchdevices in quantity presents certain inherent difficulties, owing to themultiplicity of combinations that are re quired for the code determiningcontacts, or elements, as the case may be.

According to the present invention, there is provided an improved codesetting device characterized by the utilization of substantiallyidentical code composing elements that may be manu factured cheaply inlarge quantities and readily assembled by means of unit blocks in suchmanner as to set up the desired code combinations, in response to theoperation of code setting members. The device of the present inventionis further characterized by its certainty of operation and the fact thatit is entirely free from electrical troubles, due to the purelymechanical relation that exists between the code composing elements andtheir associated code setting mem- These code setting members 3 arelongitudinally movable in each unit, the buttons 4 projecting Fig. 3 isa plan view bf the device Of.Fig. 1, with the cover removed and aportion of the device in section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3, showing the operation ofa code setting key and.

electrical connections between the code setting device and a codesending device.

Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, are perspective views of.

various parts entering into the assembly of a unit.

Figs. 9 and 10 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, showing a differentarrangement of elements.

Figs. 11 and 12.are views illustrating the functioning of the elementsof Figs. 9 andlO.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the latching plates. I I

Figs. 14 and 15 are fragmentary views, illustrating a modified contactarrangement.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures.

Referring first to Fig.1, the codesetting device comprises a base I anda top section 2, between which are assembled anumber of codesettingunits A and B arranged in stack relation, the units being similar inconstruction and each being adapted to determine a different group ofcode settings as will hereinafter appear. Each unit A or B provides aseries of 'codesetting members or keys 3, terminating in buttons 4bearing difierent code'designations, as shownin Fig. 1

sufficiently and being separated from each other, so as to be readilyfinger, see Fig. 3.

As best shown in Fig. 5, each unit A or B consists of a block 5,preferably composed of readily moldable material and providing a seriesof channels 6 extending lengthwise of the upper surface of the block.'I'he partitions 1 between the channels 6 provide a series of alinednotches 8, with the axis of each series of notches 8 extending at rightangles to the channels 6'. The

under surface of each block 5 provides a series of channels 9 parallelto the upper channels 6, but

' only half'as deep, for a purpose which will here-' inafter appear. Thebase 1 provides ribs Hi to fit the channels 9 of the lowermost block 5and the top 2 provides channels I I,.half as deep as the channels 6 ofthe uppermost block, as shown in Figs. 5 and '7.

In order to set up individual code determinations within each unit, codecomposing elements I2 and I3 are provided and assembled in the channels6 ofa blockt, either. as shown in Fig. 2

operated individually by a' or as in Fig. 10. Such assembly is inaccordance with whether the code determinations are to be set up bydifferent keys 3 cooperating with identical elements l2, as shown inFig. 3, or by different arrangements of non-identical elements [2 and I3cooperating with a single key M, as shown in Fig. 12. Whether theelements l2, or the elements l3 are utilized, the construction andfunction of a block 5 is the same, and the blocks 5 of several units canbe assembled in stack relation in the same manner.

When different keys 3 are utilized, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, theelements l2 are identical. in construction, with each element l2providing a slot I5 symmetrical with respect to the central axis of theelement. Each key 3 provides a number of projections l5 extending onopposite sides, in accordance with the code designation of the key 3,with each projection l5 providing an inclined face lfia. Thus, a keywith the code designation fourteen has one projection It to the left andthen a blank space, followed by four projections l6 alternately arrangedright and left. The identical elements l2 and the different keys 3 canreadily be assembled in the channels 6 and notches 8 of a block 5, withthe slots 15 in alinement with the notches 8 and the pro- J'ections itof the various keys 3 normally occupying the notches 8.

The several keys 3 of a unit are yieldingly maintained in the non-codedetermining position of Fig. 3 by springs l1, and it is evident that 10normally maintained with their slots I5 in exthe slot l5 of each elementI2 is of such length that its ends are nearer the central axis of a key3 than the extremities of the projections l6 of a key. Consequently,depression of any key 3 will serve to engage the inclined faces lfiawith the slot ends and shift the elements [2 to the right or to theleft, or both, to compose the code in accordance with the arrangement ofthe code determining projections IS on the depressed key.

It is evident from Fig. 2 that the elements [2, when assembled in thechannels 6, project about one-third above the top of the block 5, sothat when assembling a number of units to form a stack, the upperportions of the elements l2, as supported by any block 5, are receivedeither in the shallow channels 9 of the block 5 next above in the stack,or in the channels ll of the top 2. Due to the separation between thechannels 6 and 9 of each block 5, the elements l2 are free to move inthe channels 6 independently of the elements received in the channels 6of the block next above or next below in the stack, and one way in whichsuch movement of the elements I 2 by the keys 3 may be utilized for thecontrol of a code sending device, will next be described.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each row of code composing elements l2has associated therewith a plunger N3 of U-shaped form, which isyieldingly maintained in contact with an element l2 at the end of a row,by means of a spring 19 located between the spaced legs of the plunger.The spring I9 bears against an end plate 20, closing the channels 6 ateach end of a unit block 5, and each plate 20 provides a series of ribs2|, each of exactly the length of an element [2, see Fig. 6.

The plungers l8 are alternately arranged at the right-hand or theleft-hand ends of successive rows of elements l2, in accordance with thedirection of movement of the code composing elements l2 in a given row,when any element thereof is shifted by movement of a key 3, as

previously described. Therefore, in any given row of elements l2, thespring l9 bearing on the end plate 20 causes its associated plunger I8to yieldingly maintain all of the elements of that row in engagementwith a rib 2| of the end plate 29 at the opposite end of the row. In anassembled unit, the plungers l8 and ribs 2| are arranged alternatelythroughout the block 5, and since each rib 2| has the exact length of anelement l2, all of the elements in the block are act alinement with theaxes of the several keys 3.

One leg [8a of each plunger [8 is shorter than an element l2, so as topermit movement of the plunger in the direction of an end plate 20,While the other leg lBb is longer and extends through an opening 22inthe end plate 20. The end of the longer leg [8b of the plunger providesan inclined surface I80, which bears lightly on a similarly inclinedsurface 23a of an actuator 23, vertically movable between spaced ribs 24of the end plate 29, extending oppositely to the ribs 2!. The actuators23 are arranged alternately at opposite ends of a block 5, just as arethe plungers l8, and the actuators 23 of the lowermost unit in the stackare resiliently supported by a series of pins 25, each surrounded by aspring 23 received in a recess la of the base I.

Each pin 25 extends through an opening in a partition separating therecess la from a second recess lb, in which are located a series ofpairs or contacts 27 and 28. The contacts 2'! and 28 of each pair arenormally spaced apart, with the insulated tip of a pin 25 bearinglightly on each contact 27, owing to the resilient support of theactuators 33 by the springs 25. Each of the contacts 21 provides aseparate terminal 29, while the entire series of contacts 28 at each endoi the block 5 are connected to a common bus bar 30. Thus, the terminals29 and bus bars 39 are readily accessible within the recess lb of thebase I, so that connections may be made conveniently to a code sendingdevice, without affecting the one or more code setting units A and Bassembled above the base I.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the contact terminals 29-l to 29-9, inclusive,are connected to the stationary contacts 3I--l to 3|9, inclusive, of acommutator 32, forming part of a code sending device which may be of anydesired type, since it forms no part of the present invention. Theterminals of bus bars 30 are connected to one side of a suitable powersource S, as indicated, so that shifting of one or more plungers I8 bydepressing a key 3, causes one or more of the commutator contacts 3| tobe energized, in accordance with the code determination. The commutator32 also provides an arm 33 mounted on a shaft 34 turnable so as toengage the commutator contacts 3|, and since the arm 33 is connected tothe other side of the source S through a suitable signal device 35,rotation of the commutator shaft will cause the signal 35 to be sounded,in accordance with the code, as determined by a depressed key 3.

While the commutator 32 only provides nine coding contacts 3ll to 3l9,inclusive, each code setting unit provides a tenth row of elements l2acooperating with a plunger 18, relatively movable contacts 21, 28 andterminal 23- ll). The purpose of this terminal 29-40 is to start theoperation of a suitable motor 36 for driving the commutator shaft 34,upon full depression of a key, with provision being made fordeenergizing the terminal 29- IB,'and not relying on the circuit therethrough, as soon as the motor starts. After this the motor turns the arm33 through one or more complete revolutions as determined by a controlswitch 31, operated from the commutator shaft 34, through reductiongearing 38, so as to break the motor circuit after a number of signalsequences.

Referring again to Fig. 4, it is to be noted that the inclined face Ifibof the last projection IS on each key 3 is less steep than the otherfaces, thereby making it necessary to press the key 3 all the way inbefore the element I2a in the last row is shifted enough to cause itsplunger I8 to energize the motor starting terminal 29-Ifl. As a key 3 ispushed all the way in, as shown in Fig. 4, an inclined projection 33near the end of the key shifts a slotted latch plate 40 extendingsubstantially the length of a channel 6 which drops then into placebehind the projection 39, under the urge of spring I9a, to preventreturn of the key when it is released. The key 3 is shown in its latchedposition in Fig. 4, from which it is apparent that while certain codedetermining elements I2 of the first nine rows will be held in theirshifted positions, in accordance with the disposition of the keyprojections I5, the element I2a in the last row will be released in thelatched position of the depressed key, due to the low inclination ofthe'face I 6b. In other Words, it is necessary to push a key 3 all theway in to give a starting impulse to the motor 35, with the startingcircuit being interrupted upon return of the key to latched position inwhich the code determination is set and held. By this time, the

motor circuit is maintained by closure of the switch 31.

Following the depression and latching of a key 3, the key remains inthis position until the depression of a key in the same or in anotherunit of the device. With a key latched in the lower unit B as shown inFig. 4, depression of a key in the upper unit Will cause its inclinedprojection 39 to shift the upper latch plate 40,which movement isimparted to the latch plate immediately below. This has the effect ofreleasing a previously depressed key, so that there can be only one keydepressed at a time. Furthermore, upon release of a key, the springs I9return the plungers I8 and their corresponding elements I2 to theiroriginal positions. In order to provide for shifting of the lower latchplate 40 upon operation of a key in the upper section, or vice versa,the plates 40 are secured together by interlocking lugs 4| and notches42, so they will move in unison, see Fig. 13. To permit this movement ofthe plates 43, the bottom: of each channel 6 containing a plate 40 iscut away near its ends, as indicated at 6a in Fig. 13.

As previously pointed out, the unit block 5 is also adapted to receivecode composing elements I3 that differ from the elements I2, in thateach element I3 provides a slot 43 unsymmetrical with respect to thecentral axis of the element. The elements I2 and I3 are of exactly thesame overall length, and it is to be noted that the length of eachchannel 6 is an integral multiple of the total length-of a number ofelements I2 and I3, see Fig. 10.

By reason of the unsymmetrical disposition of the slot 43 in eachelement l3, it is possible to set up code determinations when assemblingthe.

and'to the left of the central axis of the alined key notches 8 of theblock. Where no code determination is desired, an element I2 with asymmetrical slot I5 .is employed, so that in setting up the numberfourteen, as before, only the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixthelements of a series are like the unsymmetrical slotted elements I3,while the remaining elements of the series are'like the symmetricalslotted elements I2. Such an arrangement of composing elements is shownin the extreme right-hand series of elements in Fig. 11.

With a number of elements I2 and I3 arranged in a block 5, to obtaindifferent code determinations, a single plain key I4 may be utilized toshift the elements in the different series. As shown in Fig. 12, thiskey I4 is substantially equal in width to the length of the symmetricalslots I5 of the elements I2, but when pushed into a series, the sides ofthe key I4 will engage the ends of the unsymmetrical slots 43 of theelements I3and shift them to the right or to the left, as the case maybe. In Fig. 9, the key I4 is not shown, but the unit blocks 5 are shownas providing numerals indicating the various code determinationsassociated with the corresponding key slots 5. That is to say, thesenumerals indicate the notches 8 in which the plain key I4 is to beinserted in order to set up a desired code determination.

In Fig. 12, the key I4 is shown as having been inserted into the alinedslots of a series of elements I2 and I3, in order to set up the codedesignation fourteen. Therefore, the plungers I8 of the first, third,fourth, fifth and sixth rows of elements, are shown as having beenshifted to close the corresponding contacts 21 and 28,

in order to cause transmission of signal impulses for the codedesignation fourteen, in the same manner as previously described withreference to Fig. 4. J

Should it be desired to utilize keys for all of the slots 5 of Fig. 9,instead of utilizing a single insertable key I4, a type of key 44, shownin dotted lines in Fig. 11, can be employed. These keys 44 are identicalin form, and each provides a series of oppositely extending projections45, corresponding in number to the number of rows of elements I2 and I3.Normally, all of the projections 45 are disposed in the notches 8 of theblock, and when a key 44 is depressed, the projections 45 will engageonly the ends of the unsymmetrical slots 43 of the elements I3, to shiftthem into code determining position.

Referring now to Figs. 14 and 15, there is shown a modifiedconstruction, in which each unit is provided with a series of pairs ofrelatively movable contacts that are actuated directly by the plungersI8, instead of utilizing nonconducting actuators to operate contactsmounted in the base I. In' this modified construction, the outer end ofthe longer leg I8b of each plunger I8 is insulated at 46, and normallybears lightly on a flexible contact 41. Each contact 41 is opposite tobut separated from one of a series of spaced stationary contacts 48mounted on a bus bar 49 carried by a bracket 53 secured to the end plate20, and enclosing the several pairs of con tacts 4! and 48.

As best shown in Fig. 14, each contact 41 projects from a strip 5Icarried by the end plate 20, the strip 5I being bent around the edges ofthe plate to provide ears 5Ia that project slightly above the upper andlower plate surfaces. Consequently, when a unit, provided with a seriesof contacts 37 and 48 at each end, is assembled upon a similar unit, theears Ia and the bus bars 39, are in electrical contact throughout thestack. As best shown in Fig. 15, the base 52, for a stack ofcontact-carrying units, provides a series of spaced terminals 53 thatare engaged by the ears am of the lowermost unit of the stack. The base52 also provides a single terminal 54 for, engaging the bus bar 49 of,the lowermost unit, the bus bars of adjacent units being in engagementthroughout the stack. With the base terminals 53 and 54 connected to asuitable code sending device, such as is shown in Fig. 4, it is obviousthat the assembly of several units will establish correspondingconnections of the contacts ll and 48 throughout the stack of units tothe commutator contacts of the sending device.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that by the present invention thereis provided an improved code setting device characterized by itssimplicity and reliability in operation. Obviously, the device isparticularly adapted for quantity production, owing to the fact that theshiftable code composing elements are substantially identical, and it isunnecessary to stock large numbers of parts having different forms. Inother words, the particular code numbers to be set up by the device aredetermined entirely by the form of the individual keys or by the mannerof placing the code composing elements in a series, so that inassembling a device embodying the present invention, almost any codecombination can be provided to meet a customers requirements, without itbeing necessary to make up any special code composing elements.

In the assembly of a complete unit, the elements !2 or l3 are arrangedin the channels 6 of a unit block 5, with a plunger [8 and its spring l9at one end of each row. The end plates are then secured to the ends of ablock 5, with the ribs 2! received in alternate slots 6 and with theends of the plunger legs [8?) received in the plate openings 22.Therefore, each complete unit, when assembled, provides no currentconducting parts, and its relation to the associated code sending deviceis established by merely placing the unit in position on the base I,with the actuators 23 bearing on the pins 25 that serve to operate thebase contacts 21 and 28, in response to shifting of any of the plungersl8.

I claim:

1. A code setting device comprising code composing elements of identicalshape and size, each element having a slot therein which is offset withrespect to a center line, other composing elements of the same shape andsize as said first-named elements, each element having a slot thereinwhich is symmetrical with respect to a center line, means for mountingsaid composing elements, one behind the other in a series with theirperipheries in alinement for independent shifting movement, whereby acommon alined slot is formed with the offset slot ends of saidfirst-named elements projecting into the common slot from either side ofthe slot axis, and a code setting member movable in the common slot andhaving shifting portions for said composing elements equidistant fromthe axis of said common slot, whereby upon movement of said code settingmember in said common slot, said oil-set element will be shifted tocompose the code, in cooperation with said symmetrical slot elementswhich remain stationary.

2. A code setting device comprising code composing elements of identicalshape and size, each element having a slot therein which is off-set withrespect to a center line, other composing elements of the same shape andsize as said firstnamed elements, each element having a slot thereinwhich is symmetrical with respect to a center line, means for mountingsaid composing elements, one behind the other in a series, with theirperipheries in alinement for independent shifting movement, whereby acommon alined slot is formed with the off-set slot ends of saidfirst-named elements projecting into the common slot from either side ofthe slot axis, and a code setting member movable-in the common slot andhaving shifting portions. for said composing elements equidistant fromthe axis of said common slot, whereby upon movement of said code settingmember in said common slot, the said composing elements having theirslot ends projecting into the common slot, will be engaged by saidsetting member and shifted, while said symmetrical slot elements remainstationary to compose the code.

3. A code setting device comprising code composing elements of identicalshape and size, each element having a slot therein which is off-set withrespect to a center line, other composing elements of the same shape andsize as said first-named elements, each element having a slot thereinwhich is symmetrical with respect to a center line, means for mountingsaid composing elements in horizontal rows one behind the other, indifierent series, with their peripheries in alinement, whereby a numberof common alined slots are formed, with the slot ends of saidfirst-named elements in each series projecting into the common slot ofthe series, and a code setting member movable in the common slot of aseries and having shifting portions for said composing elementsequidistant from the axis of said common slot, whereby upon movement ofsaid setting member in said common slot, the off-set slot elements ofthat series will be engaged by said setting member and shifted inopposite directions in the different rows of elements, to compose thecode, in cooperation with said symmetrical slot elements which remainstationary. i

4. A code setting device comprising a unitary block providing spacedparallel channels, notches in the partitions between said channels, withsaid notches alined along axes at right angles to said channels, codecomposing elements of equal length received in said channels and eachhaving a slot in alinement, with the slots of other elements along theaxis. of a series of said notches, a code setting member extendingthrough a series of block notches and composing element slots, and meanscomprising cooperating. surfaces on said composing elements and on saidsetting member for shifting certain of said composing elements in saidblock channels into an arrangement signifying a code, in response toaxial movement of said setting member through the series of slots insaid composing elements.

5. A code setting device comprising unitary blocks each providing spacedparallel channels on opposite sides thereof, notches in the partitionsbetween the channels on one side of the block alined on axes at rightangles to said channels, with the channels of different blocks inregister when said blocks are assembled one upon the other, codecomposing elements disposed in the registering channels on oppositesides of adjacent blocks, and each having a slot in alinement with theslots of other elements along the axis of a series of said notches, acode setting member extending through a series of block notches andelement slots, and means comprising cooperating surfaces on saidcomposing elements and setting member for shifting certain of saidcomposing elements in the channels of the blocks above and below thealined notches, in response to axial movement of said setting memberthrough a series of composing element slots.

6. In a code setting device, a stacked assembly of unitary blocks, eachproviding spaced parallel channels on opposite sides thereof, with thechannels on one side of greater depth than on the other, notches in thepartitions between the deeper channels on one side of each block, alinedwith respect to axes at right angles to said channels, with the channelsof different depths in register when said blocks are assembled in astack, and code composing elements assembled in the registering channelsof adjacent blocks, with each composing element having a slot inalinement With the slots of other composing elements in adjacent blockchannels along the axis of a series of said block notches.

JOHN H. WHEELOCK.

